Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-10
CONDITION OF THE NAVY.
The Secretary Reports ON Its Existing
Defects.
The New Cruisers Under Contract t
American Builders.
He Hasn't Much Faith I'm TORPEDO
Boats,
But Thinks Dynamite Projectiles Ali
They're Cracked Up.
Some Cogent References to Foreign
Subsidy Methods.

WAsnrHsToN, December S.-The annual
report OF the Secretary Of the Navy is
made public to-day. Tho most nota BILE
fact connected With tho work OF last year
concerns cruisers Nos. 4 and s. Congress
by the legislation of last Writer put to q
test the ability of the department and OF
American shipbuildsrs to construct cruis-
ers having the highest standards, The
requirements OF law have been observed,
and those cruisers are now under contract
with adequate security OF results to be
attained. American shipbuilders have in
these contracts placed themselves in line
with the foremost in the world. Touching
on the subject of torpedo boats and pneu-
matte dynamite guns, tho report says: To
SUN up tho matter the department deems
it unwise to follow at present the course
Of European powers in building unpro-
tected torpedo boats. It recognizes the
power OF
DYNAMITE PR0JECIILEs
and believes it practicable to embody it in
such manner as to insure that it will
reach any desired object OF attack in spite
OF known weapons and upon that problem
it is engaged. An examination of the char
acteristics ofsingle-turreted of monitors shows
that outside of ships in our own navy no
antagonist could probably befound against
which they could stand for q moment.
They were good vessels for their time, but
are entirely obsolete. A first class modern
iron clad could safely anchor, surrounded
by Feet OF these monitors without any
danger OF injury to herself, and anyone Of
her guns could send a projectile clean
through q ronitor from stem to stern. 1t
would be little less than murder to send
men in these at the present time to encoun-
ter any recently built iron clad. Iappre.
ciate fully that it is only a temporary ex.
pedient that is suggested, and it is thought
that in the absence of anything else these
might be better than nothing. This has
been the theory upon which probably $751;
OOO, 900 have been spent since the close Oi
the war. It is time to stop it and be con-
tent only with the best. Public feeling
seems to exist for the creation Of q reserve.
Committees OF the Chambers CT Commerce
OF New York and San Francisco have
passed resolutions urging organization OF
such force as q means Tor
PROVIDING FOE COAST DEFENCE
and meeting increased demands OF the
naval 66Ga DHSnucHU jOE IHCu aAO sSoSSAS
upon the outbreak Of war. The depart
ment has informed itself fully OF the differ.
ent systems Of organization for coast de-
Tense and naval reserves at present in force
in foreign countries and is prepared t.
formulate O general plan for similar organi
xation to meet the requirements and con-
dition of our own institutions. In time
of war troop shirs or transports are II
great demand. Several European govern.
Inents make an annual contribution hasec
on tonnage to companies constructing ne"
vessels. A notable illustration OF tint
generosity with which England pushes
her shipping interests is seen IL
,ha manner in which she it
dealing with the trade OF the North Pa
c;fc.. It has been thus far principal lily IN
der the American flag, and contributing tt
San Francisco and the United States. Ih
British Government and Canada togethe
are proposing the establishment OF line
NJ f;rst.class steamers from Vancouver t
Japan. The subsidy is likely to be f6o
600 annually, f45.cOO from England an
elk 600 from Canada. There will also
contributed from the naval reserve fun,
probablv SIS per ton annually Tor eac
ship constructed for the route. wh,ch WI
increase the sum to probably Sl25,oOt
Under such competition it is quite easy Il
conjecture what will become OF the Amer
can flag and our resources IN the way o1
naval reserve in the North Pacific.